Farmers shunned in mining review

October 31, 2016

The State Liberals are calling on the Weatherill Government to extend the period for public submissions into the review of the State’s mining laws to March next year to prevent farmers being shut out of the consultation process.

The period for public submissions is set to open in late October and finish in December, right in the middle of the busiest time for farmers in what promises to be the largest harvest in South Australia’s history.

“The timing of the public submission period could not have been worse for farmers and will prevent many primary producers from providing a submission to the review,” said Shadow Minister for Agriculture David Ridgway.

“I’m not sure whether the timing of this review is simply a matter of ignorance on behalf of Minister Koutsantonis or he’s not actually interested in hearing from farmers.

“The timing of submissions will force farmers to choose between turning their backs on their businesses or providing feedback to the most significant legislative review affecting the future of primary production land.

“This review will have a significant impact on primary production land going forward, surely the Weatherill Government would want comprehensive feedback from the agricultural sector.

“Given that the Government extended the public consultation process last year into South Australia’s Multiple Land Use Framework review there is reason to believe commonsense will prevail again.

“Failure to extend the period for public submissions would be another example of the Weatherill Government showing complete disregard for South Australian farmers.”

Mr Ridgway has written to Minister Koutsantonis formally calling for an extension of the submission period to March next year.